Mumbai, Jan 2 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday directed authorities to strengthen security at Mantralaya, the state secretariat in south Mumbai, with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). .
He also called for strong security screening mechanisms to be introduced at Mantralaya entry gates.
Fadnavis gave these and other instructions during a meeting with senior officials of the home ministry and police in Mantralaya.
According to sources, Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde reviewed the security arrangements at the state government headquarters during the meeting.
He said the CM directed the authorities to leverage AI technology to strengthen security at Mantralaya by developing robust mechanisms right from the entry gate.
Government employees and officials regularly travel from Mantralaya to Vidhan Bhawan (the nearby Parliament House) for official business. Visitor numbers at these locations increased significantly during parliamentary sessions. Keeping this in mind, Fadnavis has asked for a special pass to be issued, the official said.
Construction work on an underpass between Mantralaya and Vidhan Bhawan rivers is underway. The CM has directed to open the underpass for government officials visiting Vidhan Bhawan on official business, he added.
He said CM Fadnavis also directed the authorities to install safety nets on each floor of Mantralaya.
Currently, a safety net has been installed on the second floor of the complex to prevent visitors and others from attempting suicide.
He said the CM had said that no suspicious persons should be allowed to enter the Mantralaya complex.
Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Additional Chief Secretary (Domestic) Iqbal Singh Chahal, Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla, Mumbai City Police Commissioner Vivek Phansarkar, Special Commissioner of Police Deven Bharti and other senior officials.
Another official said issues related to other aspects of security were also discussed at the meeting. PTI DC NP
